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A Year of Dancing with Life - 52 Teachings from Phillip Moffitt

Attachment to Desire Week  22

When you are attached to your desire, life becomes unacceptable. You start living a hidden demand that life be other than it is, and then you suffer and cause others to suffer. The present moment isn’t acceptable because you aren’t getting what you want, or you are not who you want to be.

Dancing with Life, Chapter 9, pp. 88

For your reflection:
Whenever you notice yourself wanting things to be other than they are, rather than collapsing into your usual pattern of reactivity, respond by saying to yourself “this moment is like this” or “desire is like this.” Notice that consistently practicing this way starts to give you more freedom around strong desires.

© Phillip Moffitt 2012

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photo of phillip moffitt: buddhist meditation teacher

Phillip Moffitt

At the peak of his career, former CEO and Editor-in-chief of Esquire magazine, Phillip Moffitt, traded in his worldly aspirations to explore the inner life. He subsequently founded the Life Balance Institute and now teaches vipassana meditation with an emphasis on living the dharma in daily life. Phillip is a co-guiding teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the author of Dancing with Life. 

 
Dancing with Life Book by Phillip Moffitt:  Buddhist Insights joy & suffering

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Dancing with Life

Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning and Joy in Everyday Life

 

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